Despite factions created in the administration party, Quirino won a satisfactory vote from the public.

Carlos P. Romulo and Marvin M. Gray, publisher of the Manila Evening News, accuse Quirino in their book The Magsaysay Story (The John Day Company, 1956, updated - with an additional chapter on Magsaysay's death - re-edition by Pocket Books, Special Student Edition, SP-18, December 1957) of widespread fraud and intimidation of the opposition by military action, calling it the "dirty election".

The Liberal Party wing led by President Elpidio Quirino (the "Quirinistas") won all 8 seats, shutting out the wing led by former Senate President Jose Avelino (the "Avelinistas"), and the Nacionalista Party.

Newcomers include Esteban Abada, Teodoro de Vera, Justianiano Montano, Quinttin Paredes, Macario Peralta Jr. and Lorenzo Sumulong, all Quirinistas.

Senator Fernando Lopez ran and won in concurrent vice presidential elections.